For over 64 years, Bert Klapec, Inc. — known as BKI — has provided excavating and demolition services within the local industrial companies, as well as small to large residential jobs. Originally incorporated in 1961 by Bert Klapec, who for many years before started with a single-axle dump truck and hauled coal for his neighbors, then bought a backhoe for excavation job’s. The North Seneca Street business is now owned by his son, Dave, daughter-in-law, Jean Klapec, and their sons, Chris and Nick Klapec, marking three generations in the business.
In 2024, BKI handled many demolition jobs and smaller residential projects as well. One notable project was the complete demolition of the former Days Inn hotel in Oil City. Beginning in early October, this large structure took a little over four weeks to demolish, remove, level the property, topsoil, seed and mulch.
For another large project, BKI partnering with Horizon Construction involved the demolition of six buildings at the McKeever Environmental Center in Sandy Lake, Mercer County. BKI also removed many blighted homes for the cities of Franklin, Oil City and Titusville.
BKI also offers dump truck service for all aggregate needs, as well as roll-off service and heavy haul capabilities with its four-axle lowboy, with which they had many jobs this year.
In 2024, the company purchased a new Kubota excavator with a shearer attachment, grapple and a bucket with a big thumb.
The continued expansion and growth with the purchase of the former Sasol plant on Route 8 north of Oil City will be a great asset for BKI, with two Rail Sidings and acres of room to store incoming freight, as well as products to be loaded on Rail Cars that could be shipped anywhere in the United States.
Klapec Express
In addition to BKI, Chris and Nick Klapec also own and operate Klapec Express Inc. a local and long-haul trucking company covering 48 states and Canada. They have a variety of trailers, including flatbed, step deck, dry vans, chip trailer and log trailers.
Since partnering with PGT Inc. Trucking, a multi-service transportation firm and large flatbed trucking company out of Aliquippa, a leader in progressive freight transportation, Klapec Express is now a part of over 950 power units and 30 facilities which give access to their extensive freight and support programs. This has allowed them to be able to provide a broader range of service and been able to grow their business.
